Writer: Can Johnny Manziel play in NFL? A lot of those in the game say yes

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Heisman Trophy winner and Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, left, speaks as he receives the Manning Award, as the nation's top quarterback, during a luncheon, Thursday, May 2, 2013, in New Orleans.

What Chadiha found was that a lot of people in the game said yes, despite Manziel's relative smallness (6-1, 208 pounds) for an NFL quarterback.

Some of the credit goes to Russell Wilson the 5-11 quarterback who led the Seahawks to the playoffs in his first season. An anonymous quarterback coach that passed on Wilson in the draft spoke to Chadiha about how he made a mistake.

"I realized the league is changing," he said. "Defenses are able to get to the quarterback more often than ever, and there are enough goofy coverages that they can take away the idea of throwing in rhythm. Feel for the game means more now. Understanding how to slide in the pocket and extend a play has greater significance. It breaks a team's back when a quarterback can gain 6 yards after the defense has him in trouble."

Trent Dilfer said Manziel had "NFL instincts" and can do things Dilfer himself, a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, couldn't do. He thought Manziel would've been the second-best quarterback in this draft.

Some questions about Manziel were brought up though. One NFC general manager quoted in the article didn't like Manziel's off-the-field Heisman victory tour, saying he needed to make better decisions. An AFC personnel director quoted in the piece has concerns about Manziel's durability.

Some other highlights from the story:

While working with quarterback guru George Whitfield before last season, Manziel was prophetic. He said all he needed was to fix his throwing motion. "I don't think you understand," Manziel told Whitfield. "You teach me this and I'll go tear it up."

An NFC general manager described Manziel as a "more like Brett Favre (than Russel Wilson). He's got some cowboy in him."